Three Days: A Mother's Story by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson [Carlson, Melody]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Mothers and Sons, Christian, Biographical, General, Christian Women, Historical, Christian Women Saints, Fiction, Religious
ISBN: 9780800718756
Publisher: Revell
Published: 2005-02-01T07:00:00+00:00

12

AS THE WOMEN GATHER up the remains of our mostly untouched supper, I am reminded of another time when there was a surplus of leftovers. It happened near Capernaum shortly after the execution of John the Baptist. I am sure Jesus was grieving the death of his cousin. Probably on several levels.

I had heard rumors that some of John’s followers had turned to Jesus, hailing him as king but pressuring him to take his kingdom by force. Many of our people were tired of being oppressed by not only the Romans but also the crooked leadership of our own people. As a result, people hungry for a leader, a prophet—yes, even the Messiah—came from all over, clamoring to see Jesus.

Sarah and I had just returned from Cana, where we had spent a few days with her family, but hearing of John’s death disturbed us greatly. We both suddenly longed to be near Jesus once more. And we were not alone. We overheard one man estimating that there were at least five thousand men present that day. And that combined with women and children could probably be four times that number. Incredible.

Jesus and his disciples had taken a boat across the lake. I later learned this was simply to escape the huge crowd of people. Of course, the people had no idea, and they simply walked around the lake to the place where they had heard the Master would be teaching later in the day. Naturally, and not unlike sheep, Sarah and I went with them.

We all ended up at a lovely, albeit somewhat remote, area on the north side of the lake. A slight breeze cooled the afternoon air, and before long we found places to sit on the hillside, waiting for our Lord to arrive.

I could tell, even from a distance, that Jesus was tired and, I am sure, overwhelmed by John’s death and the subsequent pressure from John’s disciples. But, making the boat into his platform, he stood before the crowd and taught just the same. That is how compassionate this man was. He always put the needs of others above his own. And although he was weary and grieving, his teaching that day (at least for me) was some of his best and most memorable. Perhaps that is because he spoke of plants and seeds and growing things, subjects that were near and dear to my heart. And I suppose I even wondered if my love of gardens had somehow had an effect on him. Although, as Jehovah is my witness, I take no credit for his sermon. Besides, it was plain to see that Jesus’s heavenly Father was speaking directly through him.

“A man went out to plant seeds.” Jesus began with these simple words, and the crowd grew instantly quiet as his voice carried across the water and up the hillside. “And as he was planting, some of the seeds fell along the road and were immediately gobbled up by the birds. And some seeds fell

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